Baby burp cloth

ABSTRACT

A multiple layer baby burp cloth shaped, arranged, and constructed to drape and fit over, substantially cover, and hold position in relation to an individuals shoulder and the related upper body area, both front and back. The shape is characterized by a central cut out portion arranged to fit into the users neck, and a central extended portion opposite the cut out portion arranged to fit over the users shoulder. The top layer is moisture absorbent and non-irritating to a baby&#39;s skin and the bottom layer is a gripping surface which will adhere to the users shoulder.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/899,368filed Feb. 5, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to protective devices for clothing and moreparticularly relates to cloths for preventing the soiling of upper bodygarments by babies during post-feeding burping.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A number of devices arranged to protect the garment of an individualduring the activity of feeding and burping a baby exist in the priorart. Several, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,660,226, Quilling et al, and5,956,762, Adams, are based on a bib configuration wherein the cloth isdesigned to be secured about the users neck. Others provide the betterpart of an entire upper body garment and are worn like a shirt. U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,960,471, Burton, 6,990,686, Palmer, and 7,207,070,Swarez-Ballesteros are examples of these. A further approach isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,285,067, David, and 6,986,163, Dugan bothshowing a wrap-around arrangement in the manner of a sash.

In contrast to the prior art, the present invention utilizes thecombination of an ergonomic shape and a traction creating undersurfaceto cause the cloth to be held in position over the shoulder during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention may be summarized as a baby burp cloth composed of atleast two layers of fabric in face to face relationship of a shapeadapted to promote the retention of the cloth in a position draped overthe upper body and shoulder of the user. Burp cloths are employed toprotect the clothing of an individual while burping a baby over theshoulder after feeding. Regurgitation of a certain amount of food, bothsolid and liquid, usually occurs during this activity which will soilthe upper garment of the adult holding the baby. A towel is most oftenplaced over the shoulder to prevent or reduce damage to the shirt ordress of the individual burping the baby.

The present invention provides an improved burp cloth for babiescomposed of at least two sheets of fabric. The top sheet is of amaterial which is both non-irritating to a baby's skin and moistureabsorbent to trap the regurgitated substance. The bottom sheet isrelatively non-moisture absorbing although not necessarily moistureproof and has a rough outer surface which will provide traction for andpromote adherence to the adult garment.

Both sheets are of the same shape and the entire cloth has an indentededge more or less in the center and an extension on the opposite edgemore or less across from the indentation. The indentation fits into thecurve of the neck of the user and the extension covers the shoulder.Cotton fleece is an example of a fabric which can be used for the topsheet as is corduroy for the bottom.

An additional sheet of moisture absorbing fabric positioned between thetop and bottom sheets will further provide greater protection. Thisadditional layer may also be composed of cotton fleece. The layers areattached by, for example, sewing along the edge or by other means suchas adhesives. The portions of the cloth which extend over the front andback are a matter of choice but will be about equal in most cases.

These and other features and advantages, as well as the detailedstructure of the invention will become more evident from the descriptionof the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings, whichfollows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, broken-out view of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded perspective viewof the preferred embodiment of the invention consisting of a top orouter layer 10, a bottom layer 12, and optionally a third central layer14. Sheet or layer 10 is comprised of a soft non-irritating moistureabsorbing fabric such as cotton fleece, sheet or layer 12 a relativelycourse material to provide traction and promote adherence to an uppergarment such as a shirt, dress top, or blouse, and optional sheet orlayer 14 again, for example, cotton fleece.

Top sheet 12 is the portion of the cloth on which the baby's head isplaced and as a moisture absorbing material, acts to hold theregurgitation which most often results from the burping process. Theintermediate sheet acts to further enhance this protective feature ofthe cloth. The bottom sheet 14 is relatively non-moisture absorbing butnot necessarily waterproof and functions to provide a rough surface tohold the cloth on the shoulder. Corduroy is a good choice of fabric forthis sheet. The fabric sheets or layers are bound together by, forexample, stitching 16 about the edge. Adhesive may also be used.

Edge 18 is the edge which is placed to the inside when the sheet is inuse and has an indentation 20 more or less in the center of the clothand is arranged to fit into the curve of the neck. The opposite edge 22extends outward to cover the shoulder. The overall configuration or planof the cloth is therefore intended to entirely contact and cover theshoulder while shifting the garment protecting surfaces inward toprotect both the front and the back of the upper garment.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the invention in position on the shoulderof an individual showing the relationship of the surface of the cloth tothe upper body.

As variations in the above-described embodiments will now be obvious tothose skilled in the art, the invention is accordingly defined by thefollowing claims.

1. A baby burp cloth for protecting the garment of an individual duringa post feeding burping activity on a shoulder arranged to drape oversaid shoulder to cover a portion of said garmant comprising incombination a composite of: A. a first sheet composed of a non-skinirritating moisture absorbing fabric having:
 1. an edge indentationpositioned in the central area of said sheet arranged to fit around theneck of said individual; and
 2. an edge extension positioned in thecentral area of said sheet opposite said indentation arranged to extendover said shoulder of said individual; and B. a second sheet composed ofa relatively non-moisture absorbing fabric and of the same shape as saidfirst sheet and attached to said first sheet in surface to surfacerelationship, the external surface of said second sheet comprising agripping surface arranged to contact and adhere to said garment coveringsaid shoulder.
 2. The burp cloth of claim 1 wherein said first sheet iscomprised of cotton fleece.
 3. The burp cloth of claim 1 wherein saidsecond sheet is composed of corduroy.
 4. The burp cloth of claim 1further including a third sheet of moisture absorbing fabric disposedbetween said first and second sheets and of the same shape as saidsheets.
 5. The burp cloth of claim 4 wherein said third sheet iscomposed of cotton fleece.
 6. The burp cloth of claim 4 wherein saidsheets are attached by stitching about the edges.